Trust is on the decline in America

Do you trust your neighbor? Your coworker? The professionals who provide services to you?

A recent survey finds many Americans don't have a general sense of trust in others.

The Associated Press reported recently that the General Social Survey found only about a third of Americans feel most people can be trusted, down from about half when the question was first asked in 1972.

Some blame the decline in trust on lesser levels of community involvement. Some blame a decline in moral values. Others suggest economic inequality causes people with lesser means to lack trust.

Regardless of why the decline in trust has happened, it's a sad commentary on our society, and beyond that, it's a sign of greater problems to come.

Social scientists say social trust makes for a society where it's easier to compromise and to work, even with people with different views, for the common good.

"When trust is low, the way we react and behave with each other becomes less civil," April K. Clark, a Purdue University political scientist, told the AP.

Some studies say that a person's trust level is set by the time they're in their mid-20s, so the path toward creating a more trusting nation may require figuring out how to inspire today's children to trust.

As 2013 comes to an end and people start to reflect on the changes the year brought to our communities with devastating flooding, Northern Colorado may have a start on understanding how people can truly be there for one another.

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The coming year will bring new challenges, but area residents have seen just how the people of the community can come together to help one another.

In 2014, we can build on that experience to come together with different views and find ways to improve our communities.

When we successfully negotiate those challenges, it just could be the beginning of an increase in trust.

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